05 December 2001

BONN: On the eve of the new millennium, committees at city, state and national levels began with preparations for the International Year of Volunteers (IYV 2001). In 1999, the first committees were established. The UN Volunteers programme assisted in facilitating consultations through regional workshops. In 2000, UNV also involved national UN Volunteers as IYV coordinators in their countries. The committees, comprised of representatives of government, volunteer organizations, public institutions and the private sector, began to formulate plans to promote IYV 2001 and bring further recognition to volunteers.

Shortly after the global launch of IYV 2001 on 5 December 2000, more than 100 committees were in place. Now, several weeks before the close of IYV 2001, there are more than 200 committees. They have carried out countless activities to promote the year and volunteerism in their countries. Senegal is a prime example of united volunteers in action.

Members of Senegal's IYV national committee moved quickly to structure an organized commemoration of the year, drawing on a deep tradition of volunteer activity in the West African country. The idea sparked interest in other African countries, such as Guinea, Congo, Cameroon and Madagascar. Members of IYV committees in these countries joined in discussions initiated in Senegal. Regional consultations resulted in the creation of a pilot programme, "Research, Education and Action for the Development of Volunteerism in sub-Saharan Africa". The objective of this new initiative was to develop partnerships for the promotion of volunteerism in participating countries. In 2002, these partners expect to create a network to exchange information between volunteer movements in each country to bolster the efforts of research and volunteer training institutions. Eventually, the project will lead to a regional "Volunteer Documentation Centre" to serve volunteers on the continent.

The Senegalese Government has taken a leading role in support of these efforts, maintaining that volunteerism should be "institutionalized". Omar Wellé, former Senior Government Official and former Ambassador who is now in retirement calls for more state support for volunteers. He understands volunteer action, as he joined the scouting movement, Eclaireurs, in 1946.

Mr. Wellé, 75, said in an interview that he continues to work as a volunteer "to keep the flame of love for others and accompany today's youth in order to advance our true values of solidarity". Volunteerism, he said, is "one of the paths to reach a just and equitable world". For him, IYV has been a "dream come true" for volunteers -- the "artisans of peace and social understanding". The president of the Panafrican Association for Community Development said Africa needs a strong, organized volunteer force to fight against war, poverty, famine, disease and illiteracy.